Next year is critical for the new Air Force tanker, but ‘One Boeing’ teams are fueled and ready By Kymberly Vandlac Aboat taking shape behind the manufacturing engineer. “That way you “processes inWe have putergonomic and assembly line challengesupfront,” said Allan Kremenich, 767t first glance, it seems to be anark or some other kind of wooden walls of an inconspicuous building a few can walk through changes prior to putting blocks from the Everett, Wash., factory them on the assembly line.” place to ensure where Boeing assembles its twin-aisle Engineers on the tanker program commercial jetliners. are using the models to explore and quality and The enormity of what are soon understand everything from wiring and recognized as sections of a full-sized designs to ergonomics and safety, and accuracy the so are the materials from which this the 767 production floor. first time—wehow to best integrate the tanker into 767 airplane is remarkable. Even more mock-up is made. “The large-scale models have played It’s a paper, wood, plastic and foam a big part in helping the team identify the are ready and switches and paper monitors, and it’s customer,” Kremenich said. excited to begin.”best possible build for our U.S. military airplane, with a foam cockpit, wood strong enough for a person to stand in. Work being performed at the Tanker As the countdown continues toward Validation Center is but one element – Richard Duncan, 767 airframe team lead assembly of the first KC-46A tanker for the of the “One Boeing” approach on the U.S. Air Force—a next-generation tanker all-important tanker program. Utilizing based on the 767—the mock-ups in the the resources and people of the entire Tanker Validation Center are crucial first company working together toward a steps toward streamlining the assembly common goal was key to Boeing beating process for when production begins next EADS, the parent of Airbus, to win summer. The tanker, known in the factory the Air Force tanker competition in as the 767-2C, will be built on the same 2011. Boeing will build 179 tankers as line in the Everett plant as the rest of replacements for aging KC-135 tankers the 767 family. operated by the Air Force, which now “Modern computer simulations average about 50 years old. serve a purpose, but it is also important Boeing must deliver the first 18 combat- to see, feel and understand all of the ready tankers to the Air Force by the PHOTOS: (Left) Full-scale models at the Tanker Validation Center are used to help streamline the planned assembly process when KC-46A tanker production begins next summer. (Right) Looking up at the aft fuselage of a 767 commercial jetliner on the Everett, Wash, assembly line. BOB FERGUSON/BOEING 36 BOEING FRONTIERS / DECEMBER 2012–JANUARY 2013
Frontiers December 2012/January 2013 Issue
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